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EP-4380395-B1 - AEROSOL GENERATION DEVICE COMPRISING A GAS SENSOR AND ASSOCIATED AEROSOL GENERATION ASSEMBLY

EP4380395B1EP 4380395 B1EP4380395 B1EP 4380395B1EP-4380395-B1

Inventors

  • YAMAGUCHI, AKIRA

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20220801

Claims (14)

  1. An aerosol generation device (12) comprising: - a storage portion (20) extending along a device axis (X) between an open end (30) and a bottom end (32); - a first heating system (60) configured to heat at least partially the storage portion (20) until at least a first temperature to form aerosol on the open end (30); and - a gas-sensing compartment (22), able to be in fluid communication with the storage portion (20) and comprising a gas sensor (36) for sensing at least a gas; in a vaping mode, the storage portion (20) being configured to conduct a vaping flow from a vaping flow inlet (26) to the open end (30); in a sensing mode, the storage portion (20) being configured to conduct an exhaled flow from the open end (30) to the gas-sensing compartment (22), characterized in that : - the storage portion (20) is configured to receive a consumable article (14) storing a vaporizable material; - the first heating system (60) is configured to heat at least partially the storage portion (20) until the at least a first temperature to form aerosol on the open end (30) when the consumable article (14) is received in the storage portion (20); - in the vaping mode, the storage portion (20) is configured to conduct the vaping flow from the vaping flow inlet (26) to the open end (30) through the consumable article (14); - in the sensing mode, the storage portion (20) is configured to conduct the exhaled flow when the storage portion (20) is empty of consumable article (14).
  2. The aerosol generation device (12) according to claim 1, further comprising a sensing valve (50) arranged between the gas-sensing compartment (22) and the storage portion (20); the sensing valve (50) being movable between an open position in which the gas-sensing compartment (22) is in fluid communication with the storage portion (20) and a closed position in which the gas-sensing compartment (22) is isolated from the storage portion (20); the sensing valve (50) being in the open position in the sensing mode and in the closed position in the vaping mode.
  3. The aerosol generation device (12) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a vaping valve (52) arranged between the vaping flow inlet (26) and the storage portion (20); the vaping valve (52) being movable between an open position in which the vaping flow inlet (26) is in fluid communication with the storage portion (20) and a closed position in which the vaping flow inlet (26) is sealed; the vaping valve (52) being in the open position in the vaping mode and in the closed position in the sensing mode.
  4. The aerosol generation device (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a control module (66) and a switch system (68), the control module (66) being configured to control the device (12) between the sensing mode and the vaping mode, the switch system (68) being designed to be manipulated by a user to command the control module (66).
  5. The aerosol generation device (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the storage portion (20) is configured to receive the consumable article (14) through the open end (30).
  6. The aerosol generation device (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vaping flow inlet (26) is arranged at the bottom end (32) of the storage portion (20).
  7. The aerosol generation device (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first heating system (60) is further configured to heat the exhaled flow passing through the storage portion (20) in the sensing mode, until at least a second temperature.
  8. The aerosol generation device (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a second heating system (62) configured to heat the exhaled flow entering the gas-sensing compartment (22) in the sensing mode, until at least a second temperature.
  9. The aerosol generation device (12) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the first heating system (60) and/or the second heating system (62) comprises a hollow cylindrical component, the exhaled flow flowing through the cylindrical component toward the gas sensor (36) in the sensing mode.
  10. The aerosol generation device (12) according to claim 9, wherein the cylindrical component comprises, radially, inwardly to outwardly, a Teflon layer filled with a hydrocarbon filler, a copper layer and a heater film.
  11. The aerosol generation device (12) according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the second temperature is chosen to cause isolation of a at least one predetermined component from the exhaled flow, preferably the second temperature being comprised between 80°C and 100°C, and advantageously substantially equal to 90°C.
  12. The aerosol generation device (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a communication module (70) connected to the gas sensor (36), the gas sensor (36) being configured to generate sensing data representative of the exhaled flow, the communication module (70) being configured to transmit said sensing data to an external device (1).
  13. The aerosol generation device (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gas sensed by the gas sensor (36) comprises a component chosen from the list comprising acetone, carbon dioxide and ethanol.
  14. The aerosol generation assembly, comprising: - an aerosol generation device (12) according to any one of the preceding claims; and - a consumable article (14) configured to operate with the aerosol generation device (12).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention concerns an aerosol generation device. The present invention also concerns an aerosol generation assembly comprising such an aerosol generation device and a consumable article. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Different types of aerosol generation devices are already known in the art. Generally, such aerosol generation devices comprise a storage portion for storing a vaporizable material or for receiving a consumable article storing such a vaporizable material. The vaporizable material can comprise for example a liquid or a solid. A heating system is formed of one or more electrically activated resistive heating elements arranged to heat said vaporizable material to generate the aerosol. The aerosol is released into a flow path extending between an inlet and an outlet of the aerosol generation device. US 2016/0255878 A1 discloses a smart electronics vaporizer device. Generally, aerosol generation devices are designed so as to be easy to carry for a user. Typically, a user carries the aerosol generation device most of the time throughout the day to be able to use it at any time. Typically, such aerosol generation devices are used regularly throughout the day. For instance, a smoker commonly uses such a device during breaks or after meals, for example, to relax, relieve stress and/or anxiety. These devices are used when or after changes occur in the user's health and wellness. However, the user can hardly realize the extent of said changes. Monitoring said changes could greatly help to improve a user's knowledge on her/his own physical and psychological condition. Therefore, there is a need for an easy way to provide a user with data about her/his health and wellness. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One of the aims of the invention is to provide an aerosol generation device that provides better knowledge about its user's wellness. For this purpose, the invention relates to an aerosol generation device comprising: a storage portion configured to receive a consumable article storing a vaporizable material, the storage portion extending along a device axis between an open end and a bottom end;a first heating system configured to heat at least partially the storage portion until at least a first temperature to form aerosol on the open end when the consumable article is received in the storage portion;a gas-sensing compartment, able to be in fluid communication with the storage portion and comprising a gas sensor for sensing at least a gas; in a vaping mode, the storage portion being configured to conduct a vaping flow from a vaping flow inlet to the open end through the consumable article;in a sensing mode, the storage portion being configured to conduct an exhaled flow from the open end to the gas-sensing compartment. Aerosol generation devices are used during particular moments of the day during which specific changes occur in the user's metabolism. For instance, a user may use an aerosol generation device after eating food which drastically modifies her/his metabolism. During breaks, a user may use the device to relax. Feelings and mood also impact the metabolism of the user. The gas sensor of the device is used to sense at least a gas exhaled by the user. For instance, the aerosol generation device offers a way to analyze the user's metabolism and provide information about it. Monitoring a user's metabolic parameters greatly helps to improve her/his health and wellness by providing her/him with crucial information and enabling her/him to take actions accordingly. According to some embodiments, the aerosol generation device further comprises a sensing valve arranged between the gas-sensing compartment and the storage portion; the sensing valve being movable between an open position in which the gas-sensing compartment is in fluid communication with the storage portion and a closed position in which the gas-sensing compartment is isolated from the storage portion;the sensing valve being in the open position in the sensing mode and in the closed position in the vaping mode. According to some embodiments, the aerosol generation device further comprises a vaping valve arranged between the vaping flow inlet and the storage portion; the vaping valve being movable between an open position in which the vaping flow inlet is in fluid communication with the storage portion and a closed position in which the vaping flow inlet is sealed;the vaping valve being in the open position in the vaping mode and in the closed position in the sensing mode. Thanks to these features, the device can be used between a classic vaping mode and a sensing mode in which the device analyze the gas exhaled by the user. This simple fluidic circuit allows the device to switch between both modes in a simple manner. According to some embodiments, the aerosol generation device further comprises a control module and a switch system, the control module being configured to control the device between the sensing mode and